Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Founded in 2000
Creation
Since 1974, over 40 years ago, SHPE has been changing lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and professional development. At our inception, networking was the primary platform. SHPE’s members — the Familia — are the heartbeat of the organization. Towards that end, SHPE quickly established two student chapters, creating a base that would grow to what it is today–a national organization with over 10,000 student and professional members and more than 225 chapters throughout the nation and in countries outside the United States.
Mission
SHPE changes lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and development. SHPE’s vision is a world where Hispanic people are highly valued and influential as the leading innovators, scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. SHPE UVA extends this mission to our university and surrounding communities.
Efforts
SHPE hosts a number of annual events that are essential to further their mission and advancing awareness of STEM related fields for those thinking about future plans.
SHPE National Conference: Conference is a one of a kind opportunity for pursuing post-graduate success. SHPE UVA funds conference registration, travel, and housing for its members, covering 100% of costs. It constitutes the largest portion of the chapter's budget, and is a part of its prioritization of accessibility.
Juntos Podemos: Overnight high school visitation program for introduction to higher learning, UVA, and STEM fields. Juntos Podemos targets underrepresented and low income high school students from Virginia. The event is 100% free of cost to attendees.
Familia Activities: SHPE hosts a variety of chapter development events to strengthen our community and support each other.
Southwood Volunteer Work: For community outreach, the organization goes to Southwood, a public education program in Charlottesville, and teach the students about STEM related fields as well as craft interactive activities for the students related to those fields.
Reflections Interviewees involved in SHPE: Eduardo Gonzalez
Articles about SHPE:
https://news.virginia.edu/content/society-hispanic-engineers-wins-top-national-award
